Forums related to the buying and selling of gear. Start with Reader Reviews to see how our readers rate other brands and products. And of course, there's the infamous Gear Swap (buy/sell used gear), Gear Deals (deals from around the web), and our new Giveaways programs, which feature free gear for our readers.

Everything you ever wanted to know about gear - its use and application, limitations, strengths, weaknesses. How to pack for a trip (see the Gear Lists forum), or how to do it yourself (see the Make Your Own Gear forum). Need to know how to use a spork as a tent stake? See the Multiple Use Gear forum. You get the idea. It's all about gear.

Forums of a more topical nature focusing on a particular style or subgenre of lightweight backpacking. Other activities are not necessarily found here, though - see the "Off Piste" section of the forums.

Communities of people interested in other types of lightweight adventures in the backcountry involving a variety of *new* types of gear (!) and other contraptions strapped to the feet or held in the hands.